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With secret aid from ComStar—the Terran-based sect that serves as the keeper of the Inner Sphere's technological secrets and controls interstellar communication—the Clans' BattleMechwarriors have been incredibly successful in their campaign of invasion. But ComStar has its own reasons for giving aid to the enemy, and if its strategy proves successful, the Inner Sphere worlds will be finally be reunited under ComStar's rule.

Yet neither the Clans nor the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere are ready to become ComStar's puppets. And within ComStar's upper echelon a new power struggle is about to begin. As the Clans continue their inward drive, with Terra itself as their true goal, can ComStar mobilize the Inner Sphere's last defenses—or will their own internal political warfare provide the final death blow to the empire they are sworn to protect?

The novel takes place during the continued Clan invasion. Between conquests, Phelan Wolf competes for the Ward Bloodname. Kai Allard-Liao, trapped behind enemy lines, evades Jade Falcon garrison forces. Victor Steiner-Davion rebuilds the Tenth Lyran Guards into a force specifically tooled to fight the Clans. Dubbed "the Revenants," the Tenth travels into the Draconis Combine to rescue Hohiro Kurita. The battle of Tukayyid is fought and the ComGuards are victorious, putting an end to the Clan Invasion for fifteen years. Phelan earns the Bloodname by defeating Vlad in his final match. Anastasius Focht kills Primus Myndo Waterly and announces reforms to ComStar, thus initiating the schism with the Word of Blake. Hanse Davion dies of a heart attack which leaves Victor as the de facto ruler of the Federated Commonwealth.